Reviews common approaches to instructional materials development used at distance education institutions with the team approach considered in some detail. Management of the team is emphasized, the process of change is discussed, and a model for adopting educational innovations--the Concerns Based Adoption Model--is explained. (12 references)…

Discusses the collaborative team approach to instructional design. Collaborative principles are explained, and a collaborative project between the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta and the Edmonton Public Schools is described that resulted in an interactive videodisc that could be used for preservice and inservice teacher…

Discussion of the design and development of multimedia learning materials to foster sound pedagogy focuses on a set of 10 principles that reflect current beliefs about the processes and contexts of optimal learning, especially within multimedia environments. Highlights include motivation, prior knowledge, learner control, critical literacy, and…

Describes three learner assessment strategies and their possible effects on text design strategies for distance education materials. Prior knowledge, reading ability and text readability, and learning styles are examined; learner characteristics and potential instructional strategies are discussed; and the relationship of learning styles to…

Describes use of Canada's videotex system, Telidon, for instructional purposes and cites limitations in Telidon software and its high cost as reasons for the development and testing of an interactive microcomputer-based course authoring and presentation system called VITAL. VITAL's design is described and its implications for instructors are…